Travis Kelce’s controversial third-quarter catch against the Detroit Lions has become one of Week 6’s most talked-about moments. The debate centers on whether the Chiefs’ tight end maintained control after the ball appeared to touch the ground, as fans questioned the officials’ decision to let the play stand without review.
Ref’s decision over Travis Kelce’s catch has fans talking
Travis Kelce’s third-quarter reception in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 30-17 win over the Detroit Lions on October 12 ignited heavy debate online. Fans claimed the tight end’s 12-yard catch was incomplete after replays showed the ball touching the ground as he secured it. The Chiefs quickly ran the next play before officials could initiate a review, allowing the ruling of a completed catch to stand.
Many viewers criticized the officiating crew, claiming the sequence showed inconsistency in replay enforcement. One post from Rate the Refs stated, “This catch by Travis Kelce should have been ruled an incomplete catch with how it hits the ground. Chiefs hurry and snap the ball before it can be reviewed.”
Another fan on X wrote, “What’s that sky judge or whatever for? Do they just stop the play and call the ref when it’s not the Chiefs?”
Others defended the ruling, saying Kelce maintained possession even after the ball made contact with the turf. A user on Reddit commented, “There’s not a ton of movement when it hits the ground so idk that they overturn it.”
Another noted that Detroit could have challenged the play, adding, “It’s on the Lions to challenge or take a timeout before the Chiefs run the next play, which they failed to do.”
The controversy followed a separate officiating decision earlier in the game when a Lions trick-play touchdown was nullified for illegal motion after a discussion among referees. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay explained that Jared Goff “stayed in motion” without pausing behind center, constituting an illegal formation. Both calls added to the tension surrounding the Week 6 matchup, which ultimately saw Kelce finish with six receptions for 78 yards.
